Daimler V8-250 Manual Overdrive

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Apart from gaining a much-needed extra factory, Jaguar's acquisition of Daimler in 1960 also brought with it the exquisite Ed Turner-designed V8 engine.

By installing this 2,548cc 'hemi' into the MKII bodyshell, Jaguar hoped to create a more exclusive, upmarket car that would appeal to Daimler's more traditional client base. Launched in 1962, the new model was instantly distinguished from its Jaguar siblings by the traditional Daimler fluted grille and was initially only available with a bench front seat and 3-speed automatic box. It was updated in 1967 with reclining front seats, slimmer bumpers, dynamo rather than alternator charging, a heated rear screen and various other upgrades, this model being known as the V8-250 rather than the 2.5-V8.

Otherwise identical to the MKII, it featured all round disc brakes, independent front suspension and a Panhard rod located live rear axle. With 140bhp and 155lbft of torque on tap from its magnificently smooth and sonorous V8, the Daimler was capable of 115mph. It was also said to enjoy superior chassis dynamics to its Jaguar siblings thanks to its more favourable weight distribution due to the relatively light-weight engine.

First registered in November 1968, this particular V8-250 has the rare 4-speed manual overdrive gearbox that was only made available as an option in 1967. It was first owned by a Mr Burbidge of Andover, Hampshire, and spent its first three decades in that part of the country according to copies of the old V5s which record all seven keepers to date (one of them owning it twice). The vendor acquired the car from Alderton Garage, Gloucestershire, five years ago where it had been the proprietor’s own car for the preceding four years.

Sable with a pale blue leather interior (thought by the vendor to be the original colour scheme), the car presents very well with excellent panel gaps and apparently shows no signs of ever having been welded underneath. It also has the highly desirable option of power steering which greatly improves the driving experience. The 47,600 miles on the clock is believed by the vendor to be genuine and the overall condition of the car would certainly not rule this out although there is insufficient documentary evidence to warrant this total.

A long run of old MOTs back to 1992 show that the car has only covered some 9,200 miles since then, the last two owners using it in fine weather only and keeping it garaged when not in use. The car has reputedly been well-maintained and regularly serviced by Alderton Garage and the vendor for the last 10 years, although there are few bills to substantiate this. It certainly fired up promptly and ran beautifully on the occasion of our visit, with a wonderfully fruity V8 burble from the twin stainless steel exhausts.

An undated compliment slip from Riders Jaguar of Falmouth which could perhaps date from the late 80s/early 90s when the car was still resident in that area, implies that the engine may have been rebuilt because it advises the owner to “run in the engine for the first 1,000 miles”. Said to drive beautifully with an impressive turn of speed when required, it is MOTd until July 2015 with no advisories recorded.

It comes with the aforementioned ownership record, an original owner’s handbook and service centre book, still in the original Daimler wallet, the original Daimler Warranty Card from new, an original maintenance chart, a large factory service manual plus various bills for routine maintenance over the years. A complete toolkit with the correct Daimler spanners is also included. In very smart order throughout, it is only reluctantly being sold to free up garage space for a recently acquired classic convertible.

The power steering and manual overdrive gearbox transform the performance of these otherwise somewhat sedate Daimler V8s and you could wait a long time before you see another one for sale (bearing in mind that perhaps only 200 were produced), making this is an opportunity not to be missed.